M2 owners - Leicestershire

[Shiv_P]

Hi all

As a new M2 owner, I am finding the suspension really hard to deal with. Is there anyone Leicestershire based that I could go for a quick drive with as passenger to see if my car exhibits the correct suspension behaviour, or there's something wrong with it? Alternatively anyone with the aftermarket suspension eg Litchfield Bilstein or similar...

Thanks

[Dougthecat]

Not me personally but Mallory Performance in Kirkby Mallory have a development/demo M2 that runs aftermarket suspension, I believe it's AC Schnitzer kit.

You could always give them a call.

[hooch500]

I’m going through this process at the moment after a lot of research, went down a blind alley with MSS springs, so now looking at the BMW performance kit or Bilstein PSS9. The standard suspension has no compliance and on the roads around me it’s hard work. Worth doing a geo and reducing the toe front and rear. Personally I won’t be bothering with camber plates.

[hooch500]

hooch500 said:

I’m going through this process at the moment after a lot of research, went down a blind alley with MSS springs, so now looking at the BMW performance kit or Bilstein PSS10. The standard suspension has no compliance and on the roads around me it’s hard work. Worth doing a geo and reducing the toe front and rear. Personally I won’t be bothering with camber plates.

[Shiv_P]

hooch500 said:

I’m going through this process at the moment after a lot of research, went down a blind alley with MSS springs, so now looking at the BMW performance kit or Bilstein PSS9. The standard suspension has no compliance and on the roads around me it’s hard work. Worth doing a geo and reducing the toe front and rear. Personally I won’t be bothering with camber plates.

Any reason you aren't considering pss 10 B16?

Edited by Shiv_P on Thursday 1st June 08:09

[nickfrog]

I quite liked the OE setup. My OG felt quite supple. But I am probably comparing to pure track cars

[hooch500]

I corrected post I actually meant PSS10. The only standard car I’ve driven with harder suspension was a 964RS I had for 4 years - a cross between a skateboard and a church pew. I guess it depends where you live. I’m on a break up on the West Coast of Scotland and the roads up here put my local ones to shame.

[Shiv_P]

hooch500 said:

I corrected post I actually meant PSS10. The only standard car I’ve driven with harder suspension was a 964RS I had for 4 years - a cross between a skateboard and a church pew. I guess it depends where you live. I’m on a break up on the West Coast of Scotland and the roads up here put my local ones to shame.

Sounds like we are in the same boat then, do keep me updated on how you get on pls. I am finding driving this thing tough work every day, even though it's only for 20 mins x 2. The roads in this country are just crap, I didn't realise how bad until driving this...

[BMWM2Black]

I have just switched to Bilstein B16s on my OG.

They have been set up for fast road and the odd track day (5 and 6 I think).

I am finding it very firm at low speeds but the difference at speed is night and day. It is now much more stable and less 'busy'.

I have 10 & 12mm spacers and a full Geo was carried out at Swift Performance. In all I am over the moon and it looks much better now too.

I must stop spending money on it and start doing a few track days.

Sorry I am in Berkshire so cant take you out for a ride.

[Shiv_P]

BMWM2Black said:

I have just switched to Bilstein B16s on my OG.

They have been set up for fast road and the odd track day (5 and 6 I think).

I am finding it very firm at low speeds but the difference at speed is night and day. It is now much more stable and less 'busy'.

I have 10 & 12mm spacers and a full Geo was carried out at Swift Performance. In all I am over the moon and it looks much better now too.

I must stop spending money on it and start doing a few track days.

Sorry I am in Berkshire so cant take you out for a ride.

That is interesting, thanks. At low speeds, is it firm even vs stock?
I would probably go slightly softer as it is a 'fast' daily and unlikely to do a track day any time soon, maybe next year. I guess for the track I could always 'dial it up', so sounds like 3/4 4/5 would be better for my uses.
What's dealing with speed bumps, parking over kerbs etc like with the ride height drop? Again using it as a daily so towards my gym etc there are some normal speed bumps to contend with...

Would you mind if I asked what you paid all in? Did you get new or used B16? Would be great if you could PM me

[BMWM2Black]

Shiv_P said:

That is interesting, thanks. At low speeds, is it firm even vs stock?
I would probably go slightly softer as it is a 'fast' daily and unlikely to do a track day any time soon, maybe next year. I guess for the track I could always 'dial it up', so sounds like 3/4 4/5 would be better for my uses.
What's dealing with speed bumps, parking over kerbs etc like with the ride height drop? Again using it as a daily so towards my gym etc there are some normal speed bumps to contend with...

Would you mind if I asked what you paid all in? Did you get new or used B16? Would be great if you could PM me

With the settings I have yes I would say it is firmer but its less fidgety and has more body control. The poise and stability at speed is so much better and it corners flatter and you dont find yourself backing off like you would with the stock suspension.

I paid £800 for a used set and the fitting was £963.00 all in with the spacers and some extra labour to free up seized track rod ends

[Shiv_P]

BMWM2Black said:

Shiv_P said:

That is interesting, thanks. At low speeds, is it firm even vs stock?
I would probably go slightly softer as it is a 'fast' daily and unlikely to do a track day any time soon, maybe next year. I guess for the track I could always 'dial it up', so sounds like 3/4 4/5 would be better for my uses.
What's dealing with speed bumps, parking over kerbs etc like with the ride height drop? Again using it as a daily so towards my gym etc there are some normal speed bumps to contend with...

Would you mind if I asked what you paid all in? Did you get new or used B16? Would be great if you could PM me

With the settings I have yes I would say it is firmer but its less fidgety and has more body control. The poise and stability at speed is so much better and it corners flatter and you dont find yourself backing off like you would with the stock suspension.

I paid £800 for a used set and the fitting was £963.00 all in with the spacers and some extra labour to free up seized track rod ends

Thanks. Where did you find the used set?
Seems a significant saving off a brand new set where you're looking at ~£1800-2200 + fitting etc...

[hooch500]

I’ve had Bilstein kits before. I wouldn’t worry too much, even the B12/B14 kits are a big improvement. I would set the back a bit softer than front. There is some good content online. As an ex racer I’m done with going around in circles so occasional fast road use. If you get there before me let me know how you go.

The road between Tarbert and Campbeltown is a slice of motoring Nirvana. Unfortunately in an X3 while up here.

[BMWM2Black]

Shiv_P said:

Thanks. Where did you find the used set?
Seems a significant saving off a brand new set where you're looking at ~£1800-2200 + fitting etc...

One of the M2 Facebook groups, if you are not a member its worth having a look Coilovers do come up from time to time but they go very quickly. Cotswold BMW offer some really good prices on new parts so might be worth seeing what they can do a set of M Coilovers for.

[Shiv_P]

BMWM2Black said:

Shiv_P said:

Thanks. Where did you find the used set?
Seems a significant saving off a brand new set where you're looking at ~£1800-2200 + fitting etc...

One of the M2 Facebook groups, if you are not a member its worth having a look Coilovers do come up from time to time but they go very quickly. Cotswold BMW offer some really good prices on new parts so might be worth seeing what they can do a set of M Coilovers for.

OK. The car has approved used warranty until next year as well, so I need to consider my position, and I guess the M performance coilovers will let me keep the warranty for suspension etc with no hassle, but I'm unsure if they are any worse or better than the B16 for comfort / compliance. Not much info on the web either on comparisons

[Shiv_P]

BMWM2Black said:

Shiv_P said:

Thanks. Where did you find the used set?
Seems a significant saving off a brand new set where you're looking at ~£1800-2200 + fitting etc...

One of the M2 Facebook groups, if you are not a member its worth having a look Coilovers do come up from time to time but they go very quickly. Cotswold BMW offer some really good prices on new parts so might be worth seeing what they can do a set of M Coilovers for.

What's the thoughts on B16 vs M performance (I guess KW V3) for daily driving duties? I understand compression and rebound are both independently adjustable on KW V3, but it sounds like the springs are stiffer on KW V3 vs B16, but I have the option of retaining AUC warranty...
Such a difficult choice at the moment to make, used, new, which setup etc :/

[JayK12]

I think M Perf Coilovers are basically KW V3s. If your just using it on the road I would just get them, they get the job done. You'll still be limited to camber without top mounts.